Twist off drive for a tube plug

Abstract

A tube plug kit including a tube plug having a housing member and a locking member, the housing member having a smooth longitudinal bore communicating with a threaded portion, the locking member mounted on the housing member. An insert member having a first threaded end portion is received within the threaded portion of the bore, an enlarged portion positioned to be drawn within the smooth portion of the longitudinal bore in response to rotation of the insert member in the longitudinal bore and a drive portion configured to receive a torque applying tool in a rotationally driving manner. A torque limiting region is located in the insert member to limit an amount of torque the drive portion can transmit to the first threaded end portion.

1. A tube plug kit comprising:
 a tube plug having a housing member and a locking member, the housing member having a longitudinal bore comprising a smooth portion communicating with a threaded portion, the locking member mounted on the housing member; 
 an insert member having a first threaded end portion received within the threaded portion of the bore, an enlarged portion positioned to be drawn within the smooth portion of the longitudinal bore in response to rotation of the insert member in the longitudinal bore and a drive portion configured to receive a torque applying tool in a rotationally driving manner; and 
 a torque limiting region located between said enlarged portion and said drive portion in said insert member to limit an amount of torque said drive portion can transmit to said first threaded end portion. 
 
   
   
     2. A tube plug kit according to  claim 1 , wherein said drive portion comprises a substantially cylindrical extension formed on said insert member. 
   
   
     3. A tube plug kit according to  claim 2 , wherein said drive portion comprises a threaded region on said cylindrical extension to receive said torque applying tool. 
   
   
     4. A tube plug kit according to  claim 3 , wherein said threaded region is applied to an outer surface of said cylindrical extension. 
   
   
     5. A tube plug kit according to  claim 2 , wherein said drive portion comprises a recess for receiving said torque applying tool. 
   
   
     6. A tube plug kit according to  claim 2 , wherein said cylindrical extension comprises a portion with a reduced diameter forming said torque limiting region. 
   
   
     7. A tube plug kit according to  claim 2 , wherein said cylindrical extension comprises a weakened portion forming said torque limiting region. 
   
   
     8. A tube plug kit according to  claim 1 , wherein said first threaded end portion and said drive portion are joined together at a joint, and said joint comprises said torque limiting region. 
   
   
     9. A tube plug kit according to  claim 1 , further including a driving tool for engaging with said drive portion. 
   
   
     10. A tube plug kit according to  claim 9 , wherein said driving tool comprises a rod having a torque transmitting drive surface at a first end to engage with said drive portion of said insert member and a drive surface at a second end for engagement by a torque applying tool. 
   
   
     11. A tube plug kit comprising:
 a tube plug having a housing member and a locking member, the housing member having a longitudinal bore comprising a smooth portion communicating with a threaded portion, the locking member mounted on the housing member; 
 an insert member having a first threaded end portion received within the threaded portion of the bore, an enlarged portion positioned to be drawn within the smooth portion of the longitudinal bore in response to rotation of the insert member in the longitudinal bore and a cylindrical, extending drive portion comprising an externally threaded region to receive a torque applying tool in a rotationally driving manner; and 
 a torque limiting region comprising a reduced diameter portion located in said insert member to limit an amount of torque said drive portion can transmit to said first threaded end portion. 
 
   
   
     12. A tube plug kit according to  claim 11 , further including a driving tool comprising a rod having a torque transmitting drive surface at a first end to engage with said drive portion of said insert member and a drive surface at a second end for engagement by a torque applying tool. 
   
   
     13. A drive system for an insert member to be threadingly engaged with a tube plug comprising:
 an insert member having a first threaded end portion to be received within the tube plug and a drive portion configured to receive a torque applying tool in a rotationally driving manner; 
 said drive portion comprising an extension formed on said insert member with a threaded region on said extension to receive said torque applying tool; and 
 a torque limiting region located in said insert member to limit an amount of torque said drive portion can transmit to said first threaded end portion. 
 
   
   
     14. A drive system according to  claim 13 , wherein said extension is substantially cylindrical. 
   
   
     15. A drive system according to  claim 13 , wherein said threaded region is applied to an outer surface of said extension. 
   
   
     16. A drive system for an insert member to be threadingly engaged with a tube plug comprising:
 an insert member having a first threaded end portion to be received within the tube plug and a drive portion configured to receive a torque applying tool in a rotationally driving manner; 
 a torque limiting region located in said insert member to limit an amount of torque said drive portion can transmit to said first threaded end portion; 
 said first threaded end portion and said drive portion being joined together at a joint, and said joint comprising said torque limiting region. 
 
   
   
     17. A drive system according to  claim 16 , wherein said drive portion comprises a threaded region. 
   
   
     18. A drive system according to  claim 17 , wherein said threaded region is applied to an outer surface of said drive portion. 
   
   
     19. A drive system according to  claim 16 , wherein said drive portion comprises a recess. 
   
   
     20. A drive system according to  claim 16 , further including a driving tool for engaging with said drive portion. 
   
   
     21. A drive system according to  claim 20 , wherein said driving tool comprises a rod having a torque transmitting drive surface at a first end to engage with said drive portion of said insert member and a drive surface at a second end for engagement by a torque applying tool.